‘Couldn’t Take a Bad Picture’: Award Winning Photographer Builds Up Hype Before Releasing an Iconic Michael Jordan Click

Michael Jordan is as legendary as one can humanly be. He took the sporting world by storm during the mid-80s and has continued with his unchallenged stardom, even 16 years post his retirement. 

Today, teenagers who were born after his playing career ended, are seeking inspiration from his celebrated documentary. His Jordan brand is soaring with record-breaking sales, and it’s still one of the hottest commodities in the sneaker market. Now, with so much already selling on his brand name, a popular photographer has decided to add to MJ’s insurmountable fame.

Michael Jordan and his yet-to-release most iconic picture

It is tough to believe that there still remains any unreleased Michael Jordan photograph in the age of social media and quick sharing. However, to the utmost surprise of everyone, it turns out the most iconic MJ photo is yet to see daylight.

Recently, award-winning American photographer, Walter Iooss, shared a message to announce the release of that rare picture. The 77-YO personality revealed, “Michael Jordan. You couldn’t take a bad picture of Michael. So the picture here was taken in 1987 in Detroit, on the road. And what makes this picture stand out, is the lighting. Coz in those days, you could put your strokes not on the roof, you could put them on the mezzanine level. So the light’s very low, which makes the picture unusual. If it would’ve been a live picture, it would’ve been sort of dull. With Michael in the light, it can’t go wrong. (laughs)”

Walter is widely known for his work on Tiger Woods, Muhammad Ali, Kelly Slater, and many GOAT individuals. It is mouthwatering that he still has an MJ click that the world is yet to cherish.

Read also – “The Jumpman”: The Curious Case of Michael Jordan Brand’s Iconic Logo

The other MJ picture that had earlier made him a household figure

Undoubtedly, the most recognizable silhouette in the world, maybe even more popular than Jerry West on the NBA logo, is Nike’s Jordan logo. Photojournalist Jacobus “Co” Rentmeester captured the world-famous picture way back in 1984 when MJ was still a rookie. He clicked that flying dunk shot of Air Jordan where MJ appeared like a ballet dancer, stretching his arms to pluck the moon from the sky. 

Surprisingly, Nike paid the photographer just $150 for temporary use of the picture. Later, the silhouette inspired by that picture saw its branding as the “Jumpman” on the Jordan signed shoes. 

Thanks to Rentmeester’s art and Nike’s vision, that picture is visible everywhere today. Can Walter Iooss’s image do the same wonders? 

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